The secret history of the war in Ukraine took on a new dimension as insights have emerged about the pivotal role the United States played in reinforcing Ukraine’s military efforts against Russia’s massive invasion in 2022. Shortly after the incursion, two high-ranking Ukrainian generals clandestinely visited a U.S. military base in Germany to consolidate a strategic alliance. This partnership, which involved cooperation that dived deeper than widely known, became a cornerstone of the Biden administration’s strategy, illustrating its commitment to safeguarding Ukraine and the post-World War II Western order. This collaboration equipped Ukraine to endure an arduous three-year battle against its superior adversary.
As former President Donald Trump starts to unravel aspects of this joint effort, the intricate details of America’s hidden involvement in Ukraine’s defense come to light. This secret accord underscores the layers of diplomatic maneuvering and military aid that have underpinned Ukraine’s resilience. It also highlights the broader geopolitical implications, heralding America’s steadfast, albeit discreet, commitment to its European allies in a landscape fraught with renewed tensions.
Meanwhile, in Myanmar, a catastrophic earthquake has plunged the nation into deeper turmoil, claiming over 1,600 lives and leaving more than 3,000 injured. Striking on Friday, it is the most severe seismic event to hit the nation in over a century. Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, suffered a devastating aftershock, exacerbating fears about potential casualties trapped beneath the rubble. The quake struck against a backdrop of ongoing civil strife, with the military junta’s relentless bombing plunging the country into humanitarian despair. Nearly 20 million people were already in dire need before the quake, according to U.N. estimates. The earthquake, experts suggest, might alter the trajectory of Myanmar’s enduring civil conflict, as foreign aid trickles in amidst uncertainty over its distribution by the junta. The U.S., historically a major aid donor, is notably absent from the list of contributors. The seismic tremors in Myanmar also reverberated across the border, toppling a high-rise under construction in Bangkok and causing 11 fatalities.
In France, Marine Le Pen faces a pivotal moment as a court deliberates her alleged embezzlement of European Union funds totaling $4.8 million, charges she denies. A conviction would not only tarnish the far-right leader’s political career but could potentially prevent her from contesting the 2027 presidential elections, stirring significant political upheaval. Her party, the National Rally, has undergone significant transformation, shedding its previous antisemitic overtones to gain mainstream traction, now holding 123 seats in the National Assembly. This case is poised to ignite a political maelstrom at a time when France’s Fifth Republic is marked by increasing dysfunction.
As Muslims around the world celebrated Eid al-Fitr, marking the close of Ramadan’s fasting month, New York City’s Muslim community joined in, with scenes of family warmth and tradition playing out in kitchens across the city. “We don’t measure,” one mother laughingly admitted, alluding to the instinctive nature of traditional cooking.
In entertainment, Richard Chamberlain, renowned for his debut in “Dr. Kildare” and for descending into serious stage roles, has passed away at 90. On the lighter side, skateboarding is hitting new heights with a resurgence in “vert” skating, popularized by Tony Hawk’s “900” trick. The community is reinvigorated, as Hawk campaigns for vert skating’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics, a decision eagerly anticipated in April.
Original Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/briefing/myanmar-quake-ukraine.html
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Publish Date: 2025-03-31 09:36:00
